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Weekly Report from the Board Meeting at Holman Prison 11.29.17

posted by PHADP
on Wed, 11/29/2017 - 11:24

Weekly Report from the Board Meeting at Holman Prison 11.29.17

We discussed the article A Slow Death for Capital Punishment by Matthew T. Mangino where he writes about “the absurdity of the death penalty” citing as one example of this absurdity the case of Vernon Madison on one hand while speaking of “declining interest” nationally on the other. For us here in Alabama, as well as in some other death penalty states this “slow death” is just too slow! If nothing else the current situation illustrates the truth about the point of view and although intellectually we can see the “declining interest” we look at Alabama and ask “where?” In that context we took note of the Trump appointee for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Brett Talley, and his stand on Capital Punishment. He is quoted as saying: “Just shoot them.” In addition, earlier this month, an American Bar Association review committee gave him a rare “not qualified” rating because of his lack of legal experience.” Absurd indeed especially when it comes to Alabama!

Nevertheless or perhaps because of this absurdity we are working especially hard to stay positive. We know that this time of year can be difficult for many even if not incarcerated and we hope that you will see our desire to lift your spirits in our Christmas edition of Wings of Hope, put together by us with a lot of loving care to honor the season.

Thank you to our German Advisory Board Member Ursula Malchau who once more reached out to the CEO of Mercedes Benz U.S. International, James D. Hoff. While congratulating him on 20 successful years in Alabama she urged him to use his influence with Governor Ivey to bring about a death penalty moratorium in our state. You can read it here http://www.phadp.org/?q=node/692. We cannot always publish the work that goes on behind the scenes for fear of jeopardizing it but those working with us truly are The Other Voice. We thank them and want them to know that we truly appreciate them.